Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion matchday programme by Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion Monday 27th September 2021 // 8:00pm

palace √ brighton mon 27 sep | 20:00

08 captain 10 chairman 34 darren ambrose 40 over the road 47 voices of south london 51 non-league neighbours 61 cpfc 1861 64 palace women 66 from the terraces 70 stats & results

Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Executive Phil Alexander Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott Commercial Director Barry Webber Director of Operations Sharon Lacey Head of Ticketing Ally Spicer Head of Legal David Nichol Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of Safeguarding Cassi Wright Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas, Stu Ellmer Contributors Will Robinson, Ian King, Peter Manning, Darren Ambrose, Tash Stephens, Toby Jagmohan, Mohamed Rguyeg Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Dan Weir (PPA) Printer Bishops Printers

contents

The experience that these managers have in the midfield position is massive, and to learn from them has been great. It helps me develop as a player, so I am very excited

briefing palace √ brighton mon 27 sep | 20:00

Supporters fundraise in memory of Colin Doughty Brothers Adam and Tom Bovingdon are walking over 50 miles from the Amex stadium to Selhurst Park before the club’s game this evening to fundraise in memory of lifelong supporter Colin Doughty. Colin started supporting Crystal Palace when his mother and grandfather took him to his first game as a child, and had a large circle of friends in the Arthur Wait stand. He followed the club home and away, and along with his family

september

introduced Adam to Palace over 35 years ago. Sadly, in October 2020, Colin took his own life. Adam and Tom left the Amex on Sunday, and intend to arrive at Selhurst around 7pm prematch, where they will sit in the Main Stand to watch the game. They are raising money for the Campaign Against Living Miserably, who are leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men aged 45 and under in the UK. They also wish to raise awareness around the issue of men’s mental health, and to walk in memory of Colin.

Crystal Palace 5-0 Grimsby Town, 2001

First Premier League win, 1992 v Everton

Attilio Lombardo scores winner away at Selhurst Park v Wimbledon, 1997

Crystal Palace 8-0 Southend United, 1990

Kenny Sansom born, 1958

To support their efforts this weekend, please consider donating what you can by going to www.justgiving.com and searching ‘Adam Bovingdon’ or ‘brighton2london4colin’.

Fan update Supporters must be prepared to show their COVID status every matchday in line with Premier League guidelines – the easiest way to do so is via the NHS app.

What’s inside Find out… Conor Gallagher’s pre-match superstition (Page 12), how new Under-18s manager Rob Quinn has started (Page 42) and why ‘the chubbiest man to score an FA Cup hattrick’ has links to Palace (Page 51).

briefing

manager

Welcome to Selhurst Park to Graham Potter, the Brighton Directors, staff and players, and to everyone here supporting us.

here are lots of positives to take from our game with Liverpool because of the performance we managed against an incredibly strong team. Creating the number of chances we did at Anfield against a side of their success is one, because we showed character and personality. However, we expect to take at least a point from that kind of performance. So today is an important game that comes at the right time for us to bounce back, because there is nothing better than a derby to get back on track. The players and I know how important this rivalry is. I want them to be calm, but I want them to be determined. In every single game we need to play with passion, because this is representing the football club and representing the fans. That is never more important than in games like today. We want to play with the same kind of passion the fans have supporting the team. This, the fight, and the atmosphere in the stadium will be massively

important, but it will be as important for us to keep our calm and focus on how we want to play. You win derbies by keeping your head cool, so we also have

In every single game we need to play with passion, because this is representing the football club and representing the fans. That is never more important than in games like today

to bring the technical and tactical elements that allow us to be successful while appreciating the significance of this game. We know the match will be tough, though, and I must congratulate Brighton on a really manager

great start to the season. To earn 12 points from five games in the Premier League is quite an achievement and we know they have momentum on their side this evening. Away from the matches, it has been fantastic to see how players who’ve recently arrived have settled down so quickly. The structure the club has in place makes those players feel at home, so it is easy for them to perform at the level we know they can. This is all credit to staff such as Danny Young and his team, who do a fantastic job week in, week out. Seeing Luka coming back is really positive because he is one of the leaders of the football club; he’s our captain. To see him in training and getting to his best is very pleasing. We are also seeing Nathan and Ebere improving. Having these players available will make my decisions more difficult, but this is what I want. This kind of competitiveness is the best way to maximise the players’ potential. Thanks for your support

captain

Today we play one of the biggest games in our season, facing our rivals Brighton & Hove Albion after a frustrating game with Liverpool.

hat Liverpool match was I would say an unfair loss. Sometimes you can lose matches and you can accept you did not deserve to take a point or more. But this was not one of those games. I thought the boys created lots of chances against one of the best teams in England and defended a very tough attacking group well. So we cannot accept losing by this scoreline. What was encouraging was our performance, and sometimes you do have to take frustrating results when you are playing a side like Liverpool. It cannot always be your day. I am glad to be back with the team and seeing how well we are playing. As we showed against Tottenham last time at Selhurst, when this style has let’s say more luck, we can play and beat even the best teams. Walking out in front of you all again was a brilliant moment for me. I was very happy to hear and see so many supporters and I feel like that win was deserved for you after so many months with no or small crowds. Hopefully there will

be many more moments like this throughout the season. Today’s game gives us a chance to move on from Liverpool because it is so important. We

Walking out in front of you all again was a brilliant moment for me. I was very happy to hear and see so many supporters and I feel like that win was deserved for you after so many months with no or small crowds

know that this evening means so much to our supporters and so it means a lot to us too. Brighton look good and have started well this season, so we know there will be captain

a challenging 90 minutes ahead of us, but with you behind us, the motivation to beat Brighton and get over Liverpool, and the confidence we have in our approach, I think we can do well. I would like to congratulate Conor on winning your Player of the Month for August. He has settled in to this club well, just like all the other new lads. We are in a very positive position now with the players, staff, style and the support being back. It is now just important to use all of these things to get some points, manage to get a good position in the table and then see what we can achieve for this club. We had two big games with Brighton last season – first we drew at home and then we won away with JP and Christian’s brilliant goals. The memory of that game at Brighton’s stadium will be one that lasts a long time, so we are given more confidence by this. Selhurst Park under the lights with a full crowd against our biggest rivals. You know what to do… ...make some noise!

chairman

Welcome to everyone associated with Brighton & Hove Albion to Selhurst Park, and to each and every Crystal Palace supporter, for tonight’s highly anticipated match against our biggest rivals.

ince my last set of notes, many of us here tonight witnessed a simply magnificent performance against Spurs, with an atmosphere to match. We were unquestionably fully deserving of all three points, playing some wonderful football, and what a way for Odsonne to mark his arrival in south London with his two well taken goals on his first outing. The place was absolutely bouncing, and I very much hope we experience similar scenes tonight under the lights. On that day, we notched up our 500th Premier League goal, a milestone worthy of reflection. It was fitting that it was Wilf’s penalty that brought up the 500, his 48th for us in the top-flight. Christian (31) and Luka (28) occupy our second and third place on the list of club scorers too, with Chris Armstrong (23) and Andy Johnson (21) completing the top five. Another Wilf brace against our arch rivals could bring up his personal halfcentury in a truly remarkable tally. Our visit to Anfield was obviously a tough and disappointing one, but once again we created several chances which easily could

have changed the course of the match, as could a decision or two that didn’t go our way. Last week we received news of the passing away of two gentlemen both well known to the club, and one

once again we created several chances which easily could have changed the course of the match, as could a decision or two that didn’t go our way to me personally. Former player and assistant manager Terry Long, who spent almost his entire playing career with us, representing the club 480 times, second on our all-time list. He had a testimonial given his length of service, and also scored in one of the chairman

most memorable nights in our club’s rich history against Real Madrid. I saw a wonderful photo of him and Roy recently at Selhurst, and it’s clear just how much he felt at home here. My good friend Geoff Hill was the former news editor at ITN, and was a regular at Selhurst Park. We enjoyed many dinners together with other Palace-supporting financial and political figures where his passion for Palace always shone through. He was always hugely supportive of me and the club in good and bad times and we will all miss him terribly. Mark Bright and I last caught up with Geoff in the summer, as his family embarked on a fundraising mission for Cure Leukaemia, forming a close bond with former captain Geoff Thomas given their shared experience with the blood cancer. This event launched at Selhurst and went on to raise £30k. He was in great spirits and I will carry many happy memories of that last day together. Our thoughts go out to Terry and Geoff’s family and their many friends. Enjoy the game tonight – and please make yourselves heard. Up The Palace

conor gallagher

Joining a top Academy so young provided Conor Gallagher with an elite technical upbringing. But, as he tells Will Robinson, learning the terraces’ community values were just as important.

main interview

ny other midfielder working under the tutelage of Patrick Vieira and, formerly, Frank Lampard, might be burdened by the expectations of those they wished to emulate. But for Conor Gallagher, the spirit of football has always been something more grassroots. His perspective on the game seems to stem from experiences on the terraces on Saturday afternoons, or at the local park on Sunday mornings. His admiration goes not only to the great midfielders of his generation – although it’s safe to say that’s not lacking – but also to the teammates and friends with whom he’s learned so much. At the club’s annual media day, Gallagher surveys the room. This is in August, so the midfielder has only been at Palace for a short while. The hubbub coming from every direction rises from his new teammates; a chance to become a part of a new community. “I know Marc [Guéhi] and [Eberechi] Eze,” he says, peering across at the melee. “Nathan Ferguson, Michael Olise, they’re the other main boys I know. Nya Kirby as well, from England. So I have got a few mates already! “It’s really nice. It’s always nice when you have some familiar faces in the club. There are quite a few here, so that helped me settle in.” As Vieira continues to form an unbreakable spirit in the Palace dressing room, he may have found the perfect addition in Gallagher. Growing up with Guéhi and Rhian Brewster at Chelsea, before the latter left for Liverpool as a

teenager, the trio were known as the Three Musketeers. Inseparable friends and teammates. In the meantime, Gallagher’s adoration of the game grew in the stands at Stamford Bridge. It must have been some combination: playing for the team he loved on a Saturday morning before watching the pros that afternoon. “We’re all Chelsea fans, growing up around the area and always supporting Chelsea,” he remembers of his childhood. “To still be involved in the club is amazing. “I used to go with my dad, and he would take me to games when I

I used to go with my dad, and he would take me to games when I was younger because he was a huge fan. I’ve always been going to games

was younger because he was a huge fan. I’ve always been going to games and supporting them.” Like most football fans, Gallagher Jnr and Snr established a weekend routine. “My dad used to love going to the pub before – although I’d never want to because everyone was getting drunk and I was still a young boy! Then we’d go and get a burger and chips at the stadium, if the queues weren’t too long.” It’s a familiar story. But what marked Gallagher out from the conor gallagher

thousands of others queuing for a prematch bite was his prodigious talent. “It’s funny, because I still remember games and goals I scored back in primary school like it was the other week,” he has admitted in the past. “They’re memories I’ll never forget.” Playing for Epsom Eagles as a seven-year-old, alongside future senior teammate Reece James, Gallagher was quickly scouted and inducted into the Chelsea youth system. Since then, his career has been a matter of progression. First came youth success with club and country – he is already a World Cup winner with England Under-17s – before senior football beckoned. He was among the substitutes for Chelsea’s Europa League final victory over Arsenal in Baku, before being awarded Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year in 2019. The previous three names? European Cup winners and England European Championship finalists James and Mason Mount, and AC Milan regular Fikayo Tomori. Some lineage. But Gallagher takes it in his stride: “I’m getting more experience. I feel like I’m a better player from last year, and I feel like I have developed. So hopefully I can get a few more goals and assists.” He opened his Palace account in style not long after, scoring a brace against West Ham United: the first goals of the Patrick Vieira era. And here’s where the desire to learn comes in once again. “I like to get up and down the pitch and do everything I can for the

team, attacking and defending,” he explains. “Obviously Patrick Vieira, Frank Lampard [his manager at Chelsea], I used to watch them all the time. They are definitely players I used to look up to. “The experience that these managers have in the midfield position is massive, and to learn from them has been great. It helps me develop as a player, so I am very excited.”

I’m getting more experience. I feel like I’m a better player from last year, and I feel like I have developed. So hopefully I can get a few more goals and assists

Palace is the fourth loan of Gallagher’s young career. His journey so far has been another story of progression. Fighting relegation to the third-tier as a teenager at Charlton Athletic to fighting alongside Guéhi for promotion at Swansea City. A first foray into the Premier League came with West Bromwich Albion last season, although that ended in relegation. Now, at Palace, Gallagher has a chance to progress again. “With Sam [Allardyce] at West Brom, it was more about the dirty side and doing that well, whereas at Swansea it was about the runs in behind and creating chances,” he explained on his return to Chelsea over summer. “Each manager has conor gallagher

main interview

helped improve different areas of my game, which has been so valuable for my development. “I’ve definitely improved as a player in the past two years, and a lot of that is down to the four managers I’ve played under and their different styles of play. I’ve just loved every minute of it and I want to push on even more now.” Now, under Vieira, Gallagher has an opportunity to add more to his game. “I like to press high, press

I’ve definitely improved as a player in the past two years, and a lot of that is down to the four managers I’ve played under and their different styles of play

aggressive and win the ball back to start counter-attacks,” he explained, when we asked what fans could expect this season. “I also like to create chances myself and score some goals – that is the aim this season.” Those goals and assists he was so keen to add are coming – in 12 minutes at the London Stadium he matched his tally for the whole of last season. “[His] two goals were well deserved after his efforts in training,” Vieira said of the performance. “He is a player that wants to improve himself, so he’s always open to discussion and his work ethic is brilliant. When you are working hard in the week, you get rewarded by your performance at the weekend.” conor gallagher

main interview

After playing behind closed doors last season, scoring in front of the fans has regained all of its novelty, and Gallagher wants to experience that feeling as often as possible. Growing up in the stands, he knows the importance of the crowd and players’ bond. “It’s mainly excitement,” he says. “I get so excited walking out to a game, especially when the fans are there. Obviously there is a little bit of nerves, but mainly it’s excitement. “There weren’t fans when I played at Selhurst Park last season, so I’ve been buzzing for it. I had heard from friends that the fans are unreal, so I’m really excited. Last season wasn’t ideal playing without them, so just having the excitement and the atmosphere back with the fans there is great. “When I scored last season when there were no fans I almost forgot how to celebrate! But in the end, you don’t think. I scored a couple, and you don’t have time to think: ‘Oh, there are no fans in, I won’t celebrate’. I still went mental!” Now with crowds back and emotions running high, how does Gallagher calm himself down before high-pressure moments? “I listen to anything really,” he says. “House music I like, but maybe not such upbeat music. I like quite traditional, quite old school music. “That’s what gets me in the mood and gets me motivated. A bit of both: I’ve got some songs that calm me down and get me relaxed, and others that get me excited.”

There is, of course, one more essential detail. “There is a specific shin-pad I wear on my right leg,” he says, laughing bashfully. “They have different pictures on them, so I wear them on separate legs. One time I was wearing them one way, then one game I switched it up and I scored two goals, so I’ve just kept it.” In Gallagher’s defence, there are stranger superstitions in top-level football, and it’s fitting that his pre-match routine could be found in any changing room of any club across the country.

When I scored last season when there were no fans I almost forgot how to celebrate! But in the end, you don’t think. I scored a couple, and you don’t have time to think: ‘Oh, there are no fans in, I won’t celebrate’. I still went mental!

It’s a reminder that, for all his talent, hard work and desire to learn from his mentors, Gallagher is a player rooted in pure footballing culture: educated at the pubs and the burger vans, indoctrinated amongst the stands and the terraces, and moulded by a community of teammates he still calls close friends. As a player, Patrick Vieira was all about leadership, teamwork and giving it his all. As a manager, he may well have found someone who reflects just those ideals, learned from all the right places conor gallagher

Running from box-to-box in some of the biggest competitions in the game, Conor Gallagher has had a chance to see it all. But who are the standout figures from his young career so far?

Quick-fire Best non-Palace teammate The best player I’ve ever played with is a very tough question because I’ve played with a few good ones. I think it’s out of Phil Foden, Callum Hudson-Odoi or Jadon Sancho. I think because I’ve grown up with Callum and the stuff I’ve seen him do with a ball is crazy, so I’m going to go with him.

Fastest teammate The quickest player I played with has to be Tariq Lamptey. I played with him growing up through the Academy at Chelsea. It’s between him and Callum Hudson-Odoi, but I think Tariq is just a bit quicker.

Famous follower I’m pretty sure the most famous person who follows me on Instagram is John Terry. I could be wrong, but I think it’s John Terry.

Best opponent The best player I’ve ever played against is another really tough question. In terms of reputation it would be Wayne Rooney. But I remember in the FA Youth Cup at Under-18s level, Emile Smith-Rowe gave me the run-around, so that’s a game that sticks out for me. the follow-up

Childhood hero My footballing idol growing up was Frank Lampard. Being a Chelsea supporter and seeing the amount of goals he scored and the assists he made, it’s pretty crazy to be fair. So he’s definitely someone I’ve always looked up to.

Rebrewed from head to hop. Carlsberg Danish Pilsner. NEW Brew NEW Glass NEW Fount Still iconically Danish.

Proud to support

Crystal Palace Football Club

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. est. 1901

Inside Ones to watch Key stats Inside the 2010 changing room

opposition

Seagulls Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton have enjoyed a strong start to the 2021/22 season, collecting 12 points from just five games and showing their ability to turn draws into wins – something which caused them problems in the last campaign.

match preview

Story so far

The Seagulls drew 14 times in 20/21, more than any other club. They didn’t lose many, but being stuck level left them on just 41 points. The early signs are that Graham Potter’s men have addressed this, however, putting two past Burnley, Watford and Leicester City. But Brighton’s run has been kind to them so far. Unlike Palace, who faced sides in the top three for all of their opening five games, the Seagulls have benefitted from a relatively smooth start. Patrick Vieira will be looking to use the rivalry between the two clubs to spark a response to defeat against Liverpool. His last game at Selhurst Park saw the Eagles put in a dominant display over Tottenham Hotspur, notching three goals and three points.

Home

away

third

Last five Seasons

Position

4th

Points

Season

Position

Points

Top Scorer

20/21

16th

Maupay (8)

19/20

15th

Maupay (10)

18/19

17th

Murray (15)

17/18

15th

Murray (14)

16/17

2nd (Champ)

Murray (23)

Top scorer

Neal Maupay (3)

Most assists

Pascal Groß (2)

Most passes

Lewis Dunk (315)

opposition

star man: Maupay

Neal Maupay netted twice in his final 18 games of 20/21, but has already bagged three from five this season.

Remember when?

Boot in both camps

Five penalties and a win in 1989, Andy Johnson’s 2005 hat-trick, a Frustrated Fan Swearing at Glenn Murray’s 2011 efforts, Wilfried Zaha’s play-off heroics in 2013, Jordan Ayew’s day at the seaside in 2020, Christian Benteke (95’)…

recent form

last time out Brighton 2 Swansea City 0 Weds 22 Sep / Amex Stadium

Starting xi

subs

J. Steele

E. Mwepu

D. Burn

P. Groß

H. Roberts

K. Scherpen

E. Turns

J. Locadia

T. Lamptey

J. Furlong

A. Connolly

O. Offiah

M. Leonard

J. Sarmiento

S. Alzate

T. Richards

J. Moder

A. Mac Allister

First sub Second sub Third sub Yellow card Red card Goal Own goal

opposition

Matthew Upson Upson’s time in south London came through a brief 2001 loan, in which he played seven games while signed to Arsenal. He joined Brighton in 2013 and notched 67 Seagulls appearances across a loan and a permanent spell.

SAFE HANDS 32 apps 12 clean sheets

03 04 Marc Cucurella

Adam Webster

POS: DEFENDER

NAT: SPAIN

NAT: ENGALND

05 20 Robert Sánchez

LEWIS DUNK

Solly March

POS: DEFENDER

NAT: SPAIN

NAT: ENGLAND

Having worked his way through the Brighton Academy ranks, Sánchez has established himself as the first-choice ‘keeper at the Amex. After loans to Forest Green Rovers and Rochdale, he had a successful breakthrough season at Brighton, recording 10 clean sheets in 27 games. He signed a four-and-a-half year contract in February 2021.

player profile

POS: GOALKEEPER

Age

Height

1.97m

Joined

Academy – aged 15

Debut

1st November 2020 v Tottenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS LOANS: Forest Green Rovers & Rochdale opposition

24 33 02

BRIGHT STAR

Shane Duffy

Dan Burn

POS: DEFENDER

NAT: IRELAND

NAT: ENGLAND

20 apps 02 clean sheets

34 08 Tariq Lamptey

Yves Bissouma

POS: DEFENDER

POS: MIDFIELDER

POS: DEFENDER

NAT: NETHERLANDS

NAT: MALI

NAT: ENGLAND

player profile

Joël Veltman

Age

Height

1.64m

Joined

31st January 2020

Debut

23rd June 2020 v Leicester city

PREVIOUS CLUB: Chelsea opposition

The young right-back initially impressed at Chelsea before moving to the south coast. He has since proved to be an exciting prospect, after making his debut for England Under-21s following performances in the Premier League. He is returning from injury currently, making the Brighton squad in their last league game against Leicester City and playing v Swansea.

Alexis Mac Allister

Pascal Gross

CREATOR

71 app 18 wins

POS: MIDFIELDER

NAT: ARGENTINA

NAT: GERMANY

Adam Lallana

Steven Alzate

POS: MIDFIELDER

NAT: ENGLAND

NAT: COLOMBIA

NAT: BELGIUM

player profile

POS: MIDFIELDER

Age

Height

1.72m

Joined

26th June 2019

Debut

17th August 2019 v West Ham United

PREVIOUS CLUB: Genk opposition

Leandro Trossard

The Belgian winger has been a regular in the Brighton team since his arrival from Genk in 2019, gaining much of his experience on various loans. He has scored 11 goals in the Premier League so far, with his first coming on his debut against West Ham United in August 2019.

DANGERMAN

251 app 51 goals

07 09 Aaron Connolly

Neal Maupay

POS: FORWARD

NAT: IRELAND

NAT: FRANCE

27 22 Danny Welbeck

Jürgen Locadia

Percy Tau

POS: FORWARD

NAT: ENGLAND

NAT: NETHERLANDS

NAT: SOUTH AFRICA

Experienced striker Welbeck has had a high-flying career, winning a range of trophies with Manchester United and Arsenal. Since arriving at Brighton he has contributed a number of crucial goals. Having not featured in the first two games this season, Welbeck has played steadily more for Brighton over the last three.

player profile

POS: FORWARD

Age

Height

1.85m

Joined

18th October 2020

Debut

1st November 2020 v Tottenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Manchester United, Arsenal & Watford opposition

NATURAL CAFFEINE ZERO SUGAR HYDRATION ENERGY now available countrywide

for SPORT

Brighton have won just one of their last seven away games against Palace in all competitions (D4 L2), though they are unbeaten in their last three at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Brighton (W2 D2), though both victories in this run have come away from home.

06 00

00 10

AVERAGE POSSESSION % 48

56.4 shots

57 Shooting accuracy %

37 goals conceded

4 clean sheets

Conor Gallagher Shots

Goal contributions

Leandro Trossard Shots

Goal contributions

opposition

ambrose from the studio

In each programme, club legend Darren Ambrose provides his unique insight into the opposition – offering analysis and expert opinion as a player-turned-pundit.

Plenty of positives Palace should be taking a lot of positives from their games with Spurs and Liverpool. They played fantastically throughout the Spurs game. You can see how they have changed the way they’re playing now because they’re more possessionbased. Even just by looking at the numbers: they had 62% against Spurs. And winning 3-0 probably flattered Tottenham, if I’m honest. From minute one against Spurs Palace started the way they ended against West Ham. And the backline was tremendous. Harry Kane didn’t have a touch in the box for the first time in his Premier League career and had to drop deep because he couldn’t get on the ball: the back four totally nullified him. It’s a great backline. You know what you’re going to get with Joel Ward: 100% every game. Tyrick Mitchell is growing into a magnificent full-back and the two centre-halves along with Guaita look so solid. Then looking further up the pitch, Odsonne Edouard was magnificent. You cannot ask any more of your new signing and scoring twice will have felt tremendous for him. As a centre

forward particularly you want to make an impact. I spoke with Darren Bent after that game and he said when he joined a club, all he thought about was getting that first goal. Once that

Palace have changed the way they’re playing now because they’re more possessionbased. Even just by looking at the numbers: they had 62% against Spurs comes, it doesn’t matter, because it’s off your back. You’ve already scored, so you can relax. To do that 28 seconds in is phenomenal. If you watch a forward, you’ll see they’re more ruthless when they’re looking for their first goal. I’ve seen it first-hand: when they could lay you off or slip you in they put you a bit wider so you have to cross for Darren ambrose

them instead. You do get a bit selfish and a bit hungry until that first one goes in. On the flipside, if you go the first five or six games without scoring, particularly as a forward, you start to snatch at things.

Bouncebackability Jürgen Klopp said Liverpool v Palace was a very hard-fought win. I was impressed by the performance. I felt Christian Benteke should have had a penalty and why that wasn’t given I don’t know. But I don’t think players should get away with this new style of defending where you put your hands up as if you’ve not done anything and then trip your opponent up. Wilf hit the post and was very unlucky not to score, too. And, again, Edouard had a couple of chances towards the end. So overall it was a good performance and we have to remember, this is Liverpool. They’ve won the Premier League and Champions League in the last three seasons. They will turn many, many teams over, so there’s no shame in losing to them with such a spirited display.

This rivalry for me was one of the best and I loved playing in these games. I wish I still could

Going to war This is it: Palace v Brighton. The biggest one. In the first five-10 minutes the players have to want it more than the other team. The supporters will, and the lads have to want it as much as them. The first challenge, first shot, first attack, first sprint, you have to want all of these things more than the opposition. When you talk about desire, you talk about players like Paddy McCarthy, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill, Alan Lee, Neil Danns, Danny Butterfield. They wanted it more than anyone and it only takes two or three players like that to impact the dressing room. If there are a few quiet or shy lads, it changes. Form goes out the window in matches like this. No one cares what happened in previous games, it’s Crystal Palace v Brighton. Our changing room was always intense. We had a lot of characters. You know what

you’re going in to: it’s war, and you’re going onto a battlefield with these players. We had a very vocal changing room which Shaun Derry would lead. We’d play music, often the Proclaimers. The whole changing room would stand up and

No one cares what happened in previous games, it’s Crystal Palace v Brighton

sing – and if you couldn’t sing, you’d shout. You’d make the opposition hear you. Even if other teams found it a bit cringey, it still goes in, affects them and they think: ‘They’re bang up for this game.’ Then you

darren ambrose

see them in the tunnel and go eye to eye. I always liked to get level with my opponent, just to look him in the face, shake his hand and say: ‘Good luck today. It’s me v you. Let’s do it.’ I was on the bench for the first time Brighton lost at the Amex and I was getting an untold amount of stick. Their supporters were giving me so much abuse. I came on, Wilf scored within about two minutes and then I scored the easiest goal of my career. I made a point of seeking those fans out and cupping my hand to my ear. It made it all the better at the end because I got down the wing, bent it in to Glenn Murray and he scored a third. This rivalry for me was one of the best and I loved playing in these games. I wish I still could

writers aspiring writers

After widespread job cuts caused by the pandemic, it’s harder than ever for journalists to find work. This page offers three aspiring writers space to display their views and skill. Today, we hear from Mohamed Rguyeg.

Although Patrick Vieira and the lads are giving us reasons to be excited for the future at Selhurst Park, it’s never a bad idea to look back and reminisce about good times in the past. Here are two memorable – but often less celebrated – games from on this day in the club’s history. Starting with one against today’s opposition… 2011: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Crystal Palace On this day in 2011, Palace took their first trip to the then-new Amex Stadium to face rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, and very few gave Dougie Freedman’s Eagles a chance. Brighton were unbeaten at home and the south Londoners were without a win in over a month, arriving as major underdogs. The evening didn’t start well as Brighton took the lead within seven minutes after Craig Mackail-Smith latched on to a cross and struck past Julián Speroni from close range. Despite constant Palace pressure, an equaliser didn’t come until the 80thminute after a sensational Wilfried Zaha finish from just outside the box. With the game coming to a close, Palace couldn’t break the Brighton defence until Zaha found Jonathan Parr

out wide. Parr put the ball across for Darren Ambrose who bundled it over the line. The away end at the Amex erupted. Just when the travelling supporters thought it couldn’t get any better, Glenn Murray – the same Glenn Murray who had just joined from Brighton – received the

Having shown little threat before the two Palace goals,the visitors were unable to create any real chances after ball on the edge of the box, took it down expertly and fired past Casper Ankergren in the home side’s net. 2014: Palace 2-0 Leicester City The last time Crystal Palace played on this day was seven years ago as Neil Warnock’s men hosted newlypromoted Leicester City, a side full of aspiring writers

confidence after a shocking 5-3 win against Manchester United. After an understandably cagey first-half as both sides set up fairly defensively, the game grew in intensity after the restart. Palace took the lead just six minutes in to the second-half courtesy of a poacher’s finish from Fraizer Campbell. Jason Puncheon took the corner that Scott Dann was able to direct goal-bound and Campbell intelligently flicked it into the net as Selhurst flew to its feet. Just minutes later another set-piece, this time a free-kick swung in by Puncheon, was met by the head of Mile Jedinak. Kasper Schmeichel had no chance as Palace went 2-0 up. Having shown little threat before the two Palace goals, the visitors were unable to create any real chances after. The three points took Neil Warnock’s Palace joint-eighth with Manchester United

Impressed by what you’ve read, and need work from a media professional? You can discuss work opportunities with Mohamed and our other aspiring writers by emailing programme@cpfc.co.uk.

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inside the academy copers cope road

Inside How Clinton Morrison became an icon Meet the player with a point to prove against Brighton Rob Quinn goes inside life as U18s manager

inside the academy

over the road The Palace Academy has produced players from Steve Kember to Wilfried Zaha, and plenty more in between. Here, we look at some of the talented prospects in the system today.

DYLAN THISELTON age: 18 / position: Right-back / joined: 2016

highlights so far Thiselton prides himself on his consistency, striving for “steady games, 8/10 every week.” His style of play minimises the drain caused by incredibly high heights and incredibly low lows, but the right-back enjoyed retribution against Brighton & Hove Albion when the Under-18s won 2-1 in 20/21. Thiselton had previously had two trials at the Seagulls.

Take note of Thiselton’s ability going forward. Having started life as a winger – and still playing there on occasion – the defender fits the modern mould with his ability to cause trouble on the overlap and with any resulting crosses. inside the academy

getting to know dylan thiselton -

Dylan’s a good player technically who likes to attack from that rightback position. He’s a young man who comes in, works really hard and tries to get better every single day Paddy M©Carthy u23s manager

Dylan Thiselton is confident and assured both on and off the pitch. The teenage right-back talks well, is a competent footballer, and prides himself on consistency and maintaining a grounded approach. But even one of the Under-18s’ more level-headed members has been shaped by football’s rougher, more emotional experiences. “It was horrible; I remember crying, thinking everything’s finished, my world’s over,” he says, discussing two trials at Brighton as a child. Aged nine and 12, Thiselton spent a combined 12 weeks trying to catch the eye of his prospective club only, like so many young prospects in sport, to be rejected at the end of the process. “When I was Under-9s, I actually thought I deserved to be signed so I was shocked, to be honest. I was upset. The Under-12s one, I lost my - I couldn’t play, my confidence was so low. I just didn’t want to play football. “I was like: ‘That’s it, I’m finished. I’m not playing football.’ Then my dad spoke to me and said: ‘We need to get you training. Come on, if you really want to be a footballer we’ve got to make it happen.’ That just changed [me] from then. “[Now] as a player I think I’m very hardworking; I don’t think anyone works harder than me. That’s something I want to always have anywhere I go… That’s the main thing: if I don’t work hard, I’m not going to get anywhere.” Inside the academy

Thiselton’s experience highlights the battles faced by aspiring players off the pitch which, often, leave a stronger mark than those on it. But while football has a cruel side, it also offers weekly opportunities for redemption and change, something Thiselton took at another low ebb last season: beating Brighton 2-1. “We’d been on quite a bad run,” he recalls, “just knocked out of the Youth Cup. We’d just been thumped by Tottenham and we had

I actually had two sixweek trials at Brighton when I was younger and didn’t get signed on either of them – thank God. You don’t understand how happy that makes me now. Playing them and beating them was the best time of my life

Brighton [next]. The relief of beating them was so good. It was amazing. I don’t think I’ve had any better feeling than that, to be honest. “The sadness and emotions they’ve made me feel, beating them, there’s no better feeling.”

inside the academy

rob quinn I want to say how excited and proud I am to be appointed Head Coach of the Under-18s. Having coming through the club’s Academy as a player, to be given the chance to manage the side is personally pleasing.

t’s an opportunity for which I’m so grateful. That said, we’ve got a big challenge ahead – but what a great group to work with. Paddy, Darren and the boys had an amazing season last year, and we’ve got to keep up the good work. I’ve coached most of the lads before, whether that’s for one season or three or four for some of them. It’s made it a smooth transition. To win the first three league games was amazing, but we haven’t quite hit the heights in terms of performance levels yet. Looking back, our performance was better in the draw with Aston Villa, but we didn’t quite get the result. If we had been more ruthless with our chances, we would have got the three points. Everyone was a little disappointed, but that shows how much hunger and desire this group has to win every game. This squad has an incredible character, winning mentality and togetherness that they have built through the years playing together, winning things and being

successful. They’ve got great determination, and that means we always know we’re in the game. I have been hugely impressed with Victor Akinwale’s start to

Having coming through the club’s Academy as a player, to be given the chance to manage the side is personally pleasing for me. it’s an opportunity for which I’m so grateful

the season, scoring five times in four games. Working with Victor before I know he’s not only an unbelievable goalscorer, but also an unbelievable lad: his work ethic and the way he is so humble. Inside the academy

He works so hard for the team. Last year, David Omilabu scored more than 20 goals for us – I’m sure Victor will be up for trying to match or even better him this year. It’s still early, but we have started the season well. It is a tough league. Chelsea will be strong, and could be our main contenders for the title. But there are so many good teams: Fulham, Brighton, Arsenal and Tottenham. Southampton have started really well too. The standard of every game is really high in this league, so that’s why it was so important for us to get off to a positive start to the season. Hopefully we’ll be playing attacking, exciting football, but with real discipline in there as well. This group has got so many good players and good characters. If you look at the group that has now graduated to the Under-23s, including David, Jes Rak-Sakyi and Jack Wells-Morrison, you can see that the club is continuing its track record of producing good youngsters. We always have and we always will

made in south london After a landmark season Club Historian Ian King looks back at Palace’s Academy history, recalling some of our proudest former graduates from the huge number to have made their name in SE25.

Two spells, 113 goals -

CLINTON MORRISON Born

14th May, 1979

First-team debut

10th May, 1998

Appearances

316

Goals

113

inside the academy

Clinton Hubert Chambers was born in May 1979 but around the age of 15 changed his surname to Morrison. Originally with the Eagles’ Under-9s he later left for training spells with Brentford, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur while playing for York Gardens, Melwood and Malden Vale along with representative games for Surrey. In summer 1995, youth coach Peter Nicholas tempted Morrison back as Palace beat Tottenham to his signature as an apprentice. In August 1995 the forward made his Academy debut in the South East Counties League and a month later scored his first goal as the team stormed to the top of the table. That season Morrison starred in the Youth Cup side which reached the semi-final before bowing out against a Liverpool team which included the likes of Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen. By this point Morrison was knocking on the door of the Football Combination team having made a scoring debut in April 1996. In 1996/97 the forward chipped in with seven goals as the Juniors won the

Southern Junior Floodlit Cup with victory over Arsenal and also reached the final of the Youth Cup only to be beaten by Leeds United. A troublesome shoulder that would dog him throughout his career first showed up in autumn 1997 which meant having an operation and wearing a harness when playing. With the Eagles already relegated from the Premier League Morrison was advised

it was during this period Morrison joined the elite group of players to pass the 100-goal mark for Palace, which occurred at Selhurst in a 1-1 draw with QPR the day before the final home game to Sheffield Wednesday that he would be one of the substitutes. The match was heading towards a goalless draw when the striker was sent on with 10 minutes remaining, and with almost the last kick he scored the only goal – just four days short of his 19th birthday – to become one of the club’s youngest scoring debutants. Back in Division One Morrison established himself as an immediate choice in the lineup and was the Inside the academy

leading goalscorer for the next four seasons despite another protracted lay-off for a dislocated shoulder. These exploits brought about his call-up for the Republic of Ireland. In August 2002, after 181 games and 72 goals, he departed for Birmingham City, with Andrew Johnson coming the other way in a part exchange. But three years later he was back for his second spell at Selhurst Park. It was during this period Morrison joined the elite group of players to pass the 100goal mark for Palace, which occurred at Selhurst in a 1-1 draw with QPR on 10th November 2007, nearly three months after notching number 99! Morrison finally ended on 113 goals, in joint-fourth place with Mark Bright, when he left Palace in summer 2008 to sign for Coventry City. Had a game at Bradford City in October 1998 not been abandoned at half-time Morrison would have the fourth position to himself, but his goal there was wiped off the slate

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South London is a unique place to live, work and experience. In each programme, we shed light on a few of the names or events that have shaped and continue to shape our half of the city. In this edition, Chris Grierson and Sean Webb, the club staff, supporters and film-makers behind Amazon Prime Video docuseries When Eagles Dare, explain how they produced the popular documentary.

Voices of South London

f there’s one emotion that comes across in Crystal Palace’s popular docuseries When Eagles Dare, it’s pride. Pride in the promotion-hunting side of 2012/13, pride in the journey the club has been on since its brush with liquidation in 2010, and pride in the club’s importance to south London culture. “All football fans want fans of other clubs to appreciate their club too,” says Chris Grierson, interviewer and producer of the series. “As much as there are rivalries, everyone wants everyone else to understand why they love their club. “When you support a club, you think everyone else knows everything you do about what your club’s been through. But so many people I speak to say: ‘I don’t remember that happening. I had no idea Palace nearly went out of business in 2010!’” After purchasing footage filmed by a camera crew in 12/13, Crystal Palace still had a long way to transform When Eagles Dare into a compelling story that Amazon would eventually stream worldwide. “It did take the interviews for it to become what it is,” says director Sean Webb. “COVID happened and I thought: ‘Right, now is a good time to get cracking because football is cancelled for two months.’ Palace gave me the time to do that.” With the project in full flow, that season’s tight-knit squad were keen to re-live the action once again. “Every single person I asked said yes straight away,” says Grierson. “Without exception – it didn’t even need to be sold to them. Obviously when we interviewed them it wasn’t

an Amazon series then – it was just for [the club’s in-house channel] Palace TV – and they still all said yes. “The key characters we couldn’t do were Damien Delaney, who was in Ireland, and Peter Ramage, who was in Phoenix, Arizona.” When Ramage returned to take a role with Newcastle United’s Academy, Webb and Grierson seized the opportunity to get him involved. It became an interview which meant so much to the finished product. “It’s the way he spoke,” explains Grierson, “but also the way everyone else had spoken about him, and how special a guy he was… I just listed off everyone in the squad and asked him to talk about each player, and that became the whole team spirit section.” “We had intended to do it on the Tyne,” remembers Webb, “and Voices of South London

It’s the way he spoke, but also the way everyone else had spoken about him, and how special a guy he was… I just listed off everyone in the squad and asked him to talk about each player

we had scouted out a few little shots outside a brewery on the water. But then when we got there, there was building site right next door. “We ended up asking the [brewery manager] if we could come in for half an hour, and it was really great. The guy gave us a beer afterwards; Rambo already knew him.” Amidst the focus on the squad that season, there was plenty of

behind the scenes footage that was never used – much of it a fascinating watch regardless. It came from Molen Media, who spent days with different departments at the club in 2013. “But if you’re putting that out now, you’re seeing how a football club used to work – it’s all completely different now,” Grierson explains. After all, behind the scenes documentaries are no longer new. As Webb says, they have to be original too. “Now that we’ve had the Amazon Prime and the Netflix documentaries that are properly behind the scenes, with a camera in the dressing room for all of José Mourinho’s pre-match team talks, I don’t think it would have hit the same notes as that.” It didn’t take Amazon long after their first viewing to commit to the project, but it meant a slight change of focus for the filmmakers. “Selling it to a much wider audience, you had to hook people,” says Webb. “That’s the big sell: the zero to hero, the rags to riches story. That’s what hooks the more neutral viewer… Making it for Palace TV is

making it for Palace fans, so all you have to say is: ‘Aren’t we fantastic? Isn’t our story incredible?’” Grierson sums up the new

The fact that all of that came together in such a short space of time, and that we could tell that story as fans but also as filmmakers, is pretty special

approach: “The old version was telling people how great Palace was. The new version was telling people how great the story is.” Voices of South London

Far from being happy to have the project behind them, the filmmakers are prouder now than they have ever been. “This being on Amazon is a credit to everyone who has worked on Palace TV over the past few years,” Grierson says. “This kind of thing is possible because we’ve got amazing equipment, and that is possible because of the stuff we’ve done in the past. “I think it’s a proud moment for the club that we can tell stories for the whole world to see.” Webb agrees: “What ended up sitting with me most towards the end when I watched it with friends and family is that we do have – especially in the last 10-15 years – almost a club reborn. And it came from fans, even a fan who saved the club and managed it through its most successful period. “It came from a legend building a team from a bunch of rag-tag underdogs. The fact that all of that came together in such a short space of time, and that we could tell that story as fans but also as filmmakers, is pretty special.”

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non-league neighbours Surrounding south London’s only Premier League club is a range of non-league sides. In each programme, we catch up with four – Beckenham Town, Bromley, Corinthian-Casuals, and Holmesdale F.C. – to cover the people who sustain south London’s rich non-league scene.

Non-League Neighbours

HOLMESDALE f.c. In this edition, we introduce Holmesdale F.C, a club intertwined with Crystal Palace throughout the 20th century and once home to ‘the chubbiest man to score an FA Cup hat-trick’.

league table pos CLUB

recent results P

0-2

Pts HOLMESDALE

TUNbridge wells

HOLmesdale

-1

CHAtham town

1-1 HOLMESDALE

Non-League Neighbours

FISHER

3-0 CHATHAM TOWN

olmesdale F.C. only managed six league fixtures in the 2020/21 season before the coronavirus pandemic brought their Southern Counties East campaign to a juddering halt. But even their limited campaign allowed them to show off their new away kit, the players dressed in red and blue as a tribute to the club that was once just around the corner: Crystal Palace. This season, the Dalers will travel to away fixtures in another tribute to the Eagles, proudly unveiling a white away kit with a sash across the front in homage to Palace’s white shirts of the late 1970s and early 80s. But the club is not simply a place for passionate Palace

CANTERBURY CITY

HOLMESDALE

aficionados to play real-life Championship Manager. Holmesdale F.C. is a club with a storeyed history, reborn, divided and most recently, promoted. In the early 1920s – just a couple of years before a nearby brickfield site off Holmesdale Road was bought and converted into Selhurst Park – members of the local Baptist Church were looking for activities for their members to become involved with. Bringing the community together around something other than church would be a real victory, with members spending their weekends with other parishioners – after compulsory Bible classes, of course. For several years players balanced religious study and burgeoning football careers, but despite coming runners-up in 1922/23, the team folded and the idea was abandoned. In 1956 came its revival. Expansion was necessary after a few successful seasons, the new recruits coming from a separate church meaning the word ‘Baptists’ was dropped from the club’s name. In the meantime, Crystal Palace were rising ever higher up the Football League, reaching the top-tier for the first time in 1969. For a club whose board members still talk of their addiction to Palace as well as non-league football, it was a successful time for fanatics in south London. To find Holmesdale F.C. now, one has to travel a little further than the Holmesdale Road itself.

After relocating from their Croydon base in the late 1990s having been denied permission to install floodlights, they moved to Oakley Road in Bromley to continue their journey up the divisions. This caused a split among players and supporters alike, which remained an issue despite continued success on the field. In 2001, a breakaway club was founded as Real Holmesdale F.C, who continue to play their football in Croydon to this day. Every Saturday since, not far from Bromley’s Hayes Lane, Holmesdale carry on their own individual journey. Horses roam in nearby paddocks and the sounds of laughter can be heard from the nearby pub – you have to remind yourself that you very much remain in south London.

Horses roam in nearby paddocks and the sounds of laughter can be heard from the nearby pub Pitchside is the Directors’ Box – or more accurately, a row of seats at the front of a scaffold stand, half with ‘Home’ and half with ‘Away’ written across the back. On sunny days, the smell of a roaring barbeque will waft across the grass as burgers and hotdogs are dished out to hungry fans; should it rain, the bar will be a hub of activity. Non-League Neighbours

The ball boys - volunteers and fans themselves - may have to hop over the nearby hedges to retrieve a particularly zealous clearance or an overly ambitious effort, but the reward of a hamburger or a Mars bar at full-time is more than enough compensation. The players and staff are characters, but ambitious. Former striker Steven Strotten’s Twitter bio reads: ‘The chubbiest man to score an FA Cup hat-trick’, but he and those who came before him are determined for success on the field. Indeed, there has been no sign of progress slowing for Holmesdale despite the coronavirus disruption. Their performances in the recent truncated seasons saw them promoted to the Southern Counties Premier Division for the 21/22 season, among their highest positions to date. The current campaign will be like a soothing balm to all non-league clubs welcoming not just fans back into the stands – or more likely pitchside – but for the return of regular football in the first place. At Holmesdale the relief is no different, back plying their trade every weekend just like the stars many of them idolise on the Holmesdale Road itself. And while they will wear their white away sashes with pride, there will be no forgetting that they represent a club with its own origins, its own story, and if things continue, its own exciting future

Geoff Hill 1969-2021 Lifelong Palace supporter and Season Ticket holder Geoff Hill passed away two weeks ago. He was 52. Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Geoff Thomas were his heroes. One of his favourite moments was David Hopkin’s winner in the play-off final, when he was engulfed by his pals in the celebrations. He loved this club.

IN MEMORY

Terry Long 1934-2021 Club icon Terry Long passed away peacefully on Sunday, 19th September 2021. Terry spent almost his entire career with Palace, joining in 1955, helping to secure three promotions and going on to make the second-most appearances in club history.

IN MEMORY

jimmy hibburt From its founding to the current day, Crystal Palace’s history is rich in stories and characters. Here, we look back at some of the best. Today, Academy graduate Jimmy Hibburt recalls enjoying several lessons on how not to start life in football.

efore earning a handful of league appearances, Academy graduate Jimmy Hibburt actually played in the 1998 Intertoto Cup. Through laughter, the former midfielder recalls the somewhat scary learning curve he experienced in Turkey that summer: “We were in the Intertoto Cup against Samsunspor, and lost the first-leg 2-0 at Selhurst Park. So, for the second-leg in Turkey, Terry Venables actually called myself and Wooz [David Woozley] up. I was lucky enough to come on for the final 12 minutes and it was unbelievable learning and listening to Terry. “I was keen to impress and show Terry what I was capable of; I was delighted to get on – perhaps too excited! Samsunspor’s atmosphere was one of those classic ‘Welcome to hell’ ones; real hostile. The game was over: we were 4-0 down on aggregate with a few minutes left, and we had a corner but they hit us on the counter attack. I was chasing this guy back and it was one of From the Archive

those scenarios where I take all of the man and all of the ball. “From then, though, the Samsunspor fans absolutely hated me – I had to get a police escort out of the ground with Terry Venables because their fans were waving knives and spitting at me!”

I had to get a police escort out of the ground with Terry Venables because their fans were waving knives and spitting at me!

Hibburt’s introduction to professional football may have been fraught, but memories of on-pitch moments soon subside and talk turns to off-field moments. The introduction, there, was similarly eye-opening for a young prospect. Hibburt asks if we’ve heard ‘the Attilio Lombardo story’. Naturally, we’ve heard several, but not the one Hibburt wants to tell. “Attilio joined Palace, and it was incredible. But I always remember his first day: he walked across the dressing room naked and went and laid down on the physio’s table. Attilio was used to having pre-training massages but this sort of prep was ahead of the time for the English

game and he just assumed this was commonplace at Palace – but we were all thinking: ‘What’s going on here?!’ “The look of bewilderment the physio gave him was priceless and everyone was laughing. However, within two days there were masseuses everywhere at the club as all of us jumped on this bandwagon – ultimately, his influence changed the club a little bit for the better.” On the topic of characters, Hibburt moves on to his final year with Palace, a year that the now-41-year-old has no real From the Archive

recollection of, apart from Neil Ruddock - this begins the ‘most’ Razor Ruddock story we’ve become accustomed to over the years. “That last part of my Palace life, that season of being injured, all I really remember is Neil Ruddock. I think part of his contract was to stay under a certain weight, and I always remember him cycling in the sauna to sweat it all out when Simon Jordan was coming down to see him. “He kept me sane during that season, though, with his humour and buzz for life.”

palace for life Summer Camp builds bridges with Met Police

his August Palace for Life Foundation delivered a summer camp at the Metropolitan Police Sports Ground engaging 70 young people a day to provide additional support throughout the school holidays. Participants at the summer activity camp included young people referred to Palace for Life services in need of extra support due to becoming at risk of taking part in criminal activity, those with additional needs such as ASD, ADHD and PTSD and individuals from low income families.

Partnered with Bromley Children and Families Forum, the camp was based at the Warren Sports Ground, where part of the focus was to build bridges and challenge stigmas between young people and the local police force. Officers visited the camp throughout the 16-day course to join in activities, answer questions and deliver talks to the participants. The camp worked to break down barriers between the young people and the police, as it allowed the young adults to see the police

as people and not uniforms. When learning that the person they had been speaking to was a police officer, one participant exclaimed: “What, you’re a police officer?!”. Another participant said: “The police I usually see don’t ever chat to us, but these officers actually really care.”

The police I usually see don’t ever chat to us, but these officers actually really care

The activity camp gave the young people the chance to take part in various sports, arts and crafts, science workshops and a foam party. They were also treated to visits from The Royal Navy who hosted a team bonding day and the Met Police, speaking to their bike, stop and search and territorial support group teams. palace for life

The attendees also took part in workshops on youth violence delivered by the Mizen Foundation, Solve and Bromley Gangs Team.

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A key aim of the summer activity camp was to support the families who need our help the most, and 80% of the young people in attendance were on free school meals. Throughout the course we were able to give out over 1,000 free lunches and fresh fruit. The Foundation delivers a variety of courses throughout the school holidays to keep the young people in our community safe, active and healthy all year round. To find out more about Palace for Life activities, visit palaceforlife.org

From just £5, you can win up to £1,400 worth of cash prizes with proceeds helping us to support the young people of south London who need it most.

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It’s a bold statement, but Crystal Palace Football Club has a legitimate claim to being the oldest league side in existence still playing professional football. Throughout the club’s 160th anniversary season, author and supporter Peter Manning explains the fascinating tale of Palace’s history from 1861 to 1915, a history acknowledged in their 1906 handbook, laying out in each edition why the club’s heritage stretches further back than ever thought.

cpfc 1861

n the last programmes we learned that the new Crystal Palace at Sydenham laid its own cricket pitch in 1857, set up its own cricket club in 1859 from which emerged the first glimmerings of our football club in 1861, and that we are as certain as possible that 1861 is an accurate date. Today, we go into more detail on one of English football’s most important games – a not insignificant fixture for Palace.

Q: When was Palace’s very first match? A: Palace’s very first reported match we know, with absolute certainty, was played on Saturday, 15th March, 1862, because it was reported in the newspapers of the time. Q: Who did we play and where? A: Remember there were no organised football teams around London at that time other than the public schools and universities, but we know that serious club cricketers used to play football among themselves to keep fit during winter, making up their own internal teams. We find reports of games between Married v Single, A-L v The Rest and even Handsome v Ugly playing football against each other!

But, in March, 1862, we find the first report of a match between two organised teams in London: Forest v Crystal Palace. Forest were a club formed by several Old Harrovians of Harrow School, including the Alcock brothers, John Forster and Charles, and others who were old boys of the nearby Forest School, still in existence today. Forest played their football at Snaresbrook in Essex.

it was the first reported game between two teams that later formed the core of the clubs that founded the Football Association and developed the game some know as ‘soccer’ This match proved to be doubly important because it was the first reported game between two teams that later formed the core of the clubs that founded the Football Association and developed the game some cpfc 1861

know as ‘soccer’. But more of that in a later programme.

Q: Why did Crystal Palace play Forest? A: We don’t know the precise reason but the most likely one is because both clubs had links through old boys of the Forest School. The most likely link seems to be the Cutbill family, some of whom went to Forest School and whose family moved close to Crystal Palace while retaining links with their old school friends. The father of the family, Thomas Cutbill, was a civil engineer and the London agent for Brassey & Wythes. Thomas Brassey was one of the principal builders of Britain’s railways and one of the first directors of the Crystal Palace Company, so here was his Crystal Palace link. Thomas Cutbill had moved his family to Lawrie Park in Sydenham some time before 1861. He had four sons, and at least three, Walter, Arthur and Reginald, attended Forest School before the family moved to Sydenham and all played cricket and football for Crystal Palace. We also know that Arthur played for Forest as he’s shown in their earliest known photograph, taken in October, 1863.

Forest managing the only goal after 90 minutes. It was obviously considered a success however as a return match was organised straight away at the Palace on 5th April, just three weeks later

NEXT TIME

Q: Who played for Crystal Palace in that first match? A: The first match was 15-a-side (there were no formal football rules at this stage). Apart from two of the Cutbill brothers, the Palace team included Club Secretary, Francis (‘Frank’) Day, a master brewer whose family were part of the company, Day, Noakes and Co Ltd. which owned the Black Eagle Brewery in Bermondsey; James Turner – a wine merchant like our own Stephen Browett - whose father was the first President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and three brothers named Lloyd. The match on 15th March lasted a marathon two and a half hours

The inclusion of the Lloyd brothers adds another twist to Palace’s history. Palace fans will no doubt remember the demonstration outside Lloyds Bank’s Head Office in the dark days of administration in 2010 that helped force the sale of the club to our present owners. Little did Lloyds know that the earliest Crystal Palace club was almost a Lloyd family club as the three brothers, Theodore, Harry and Alfred, were the greatgreat-grandsons of Sampson Lloyd, who founded Lloyds Bank. Furthermore, James Turner was their brother-in-law, having married their sister Rachel. As you can see, those earliest members of the club were far from the casual workers we have always held to be our history. The match on 15th March lasted a marathon two and a half hours. A brief newspaper report says it was a tight affair with cpfc 1861

In the next programme we’ll see where the Crystal Palace Club’s venture into football led them and give a brief history of the club over the rest of the 19th century and up to 1915, when we were forced to leave the Crystal Palace by the outbreak of World War I. We’ll continue to show why today’s club can claim a heritage going back to 1861. In the remaining programmes of the season, we’ll dig deeper into each chapter of Palace’s early years to show how Palace ended up with a unique and celebrated football history that compares with no other club. Peter Manning’s book, Palace at the Palace, is available online through the Club Shop.

millie farrow I joined Palace this summer looking to play consistently and continue to work my way back to regular, injury-free football, which began well with my first goal at Selhurst a few weeks ago.

’ve represented several clubs in my career, which has been a unique one because I’ve suffered quite a few serious injuries. I’ve torn both my ACLs, the first time when I was 15 playing for Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final. I came back from that and suffered two shoulder dislocations and then tore my other ACL. I was trying to complete a loan spell with Bristol City when both of these injuries struck, so had to return to my parent club Chelsea twice just to recover. I eventually finished my time with Bristol City and later signed for Reading, but, that pre-season, I was in so much pain I couldn’t run. It almost sounds ridiculous putting it into words: I had a stress fracture in my back; another long stint out. And then COVID struck. So I’ve had a very frustrating few years. Tearing my second ACL was the toughest challenge. I knew exactly what to expect regarding rehab and its intensity. It’s a struggle and you have to drag yourself through physically and mentally, and I was at an palace women

age where I was really hoping to kick on to get to the top of my own expectations. I was also part of the England setup during this period, representing the Under-19s and Under-23s. When you’re young you always say you want to play for England because it’s the biggest achievement for a footballer. Injuries definitely affected my England career because I missed so much time, so many camps and so many opportunities. I look at people I played with who are now in the England team and wonder: ‘Could that have been me?’, but I try not to think like that. Instead, I can focus on the positives, and my start at Palace has certainly been that. As an out and out No.9, I have a natural instinct for where I need to be

I look at people I played with who are now in the England team and wonder: ‘Could that have been me?’ but I try not to think like that and was very pleased to show this at Selhurst Park against Sunderland. It’s a big occasion to play at the ground and scoring there made it even better. If you saw the game, you would have seen what we’re building on here. Looking past Palace, the league is so open this season and that’s really exciting for us. I know it’s only been three

the signings we’ve made and the way we’re trying to play is very promising. I’m going to call it now: this season will be the best we’ve had games, but it’s so competitive. That’s exciting for Crystal Palace, because the signings we’ve made and the way we’re trying to play is very promising. I’m going to call it now: this season will be the best we’ve had

palace women

The page for Palace supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. This week, we remember former employee Paula Morley.

PAULA MORLEY: 16th may, 1928 – 8th september, 2021 The club were saddened to learn that Paula Morley, our former long-standing employee and wife of Peter Morley, passed away recently aged 93. Paula worked at Crystal Palace as Ron Noades’ secretary for 17 years. She started working at the club shortly after Noades took over as Chairman at Selhurst Park in 1981 and remained his secretary until she retired, just before her 70th birthday. Paula and Peter, former Club Chairman and President who died in 2013, travelled all over the country watching the club play after attending their first match at Crystal Palace in 1974. They joined the Vice Presidents’ club in 1976 and Paula organised travel for the Vice Presidents’ Club members and Directors. Their popular away travel club saw Paula book trains, pre-match meals and match tickets, as members enjoyed some great away days all efficiently organised by the Palace

Season Ticket holder who was soon to become an employee. She worked tirelessly during an important time for the club as Steve Coppell and Noades worked together through the 80s to earn promotion to the First Division and of course the club’s first appearance in an FA Cup final in 1990. Paula’s work during that season was recognised as she was awarded the club’s President’s Trophy, presented by the board of Directors, at the end of the 89/90 season. Paula worked alongside a number of staff at the club within many departments and two of them, Terry Byfield and Joanne Whittle, still remain today. Both recognise the impact she had on

their early years at Selhurst Park and proudly say what a big part of their life Paula was. After her retirement Terry and Joanne both remained good friends with her. Paula remained a staunch Palace supporter and VicePresidents’ Club member and on her 90th birthday was made an honorary member. The VPs’ received the news of her passing with great sadness at our last home match against Spurs, and their committee would like to pass on their own message in memory of their much-loved former member: ‘Paula Morley has played a big part in the 48-year history of the CPFC Vice Presidents’ Club, not just an honorary member and great character to have around the lounge but also as someone who actively organised away game trips and dinners for the VPs. Our thoughts are with Alex and Fran, her family and friends. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed at games.’

Got something to share? Email us on programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of no more than 200 words with a (printable) opinion or story. Alternatively, use #CPFC on Twitter and we’ll keep an eye out!

from the terraces

In loving memory of Colin Scott aged 79, a Palace supporter of 70 years, who passed away on August 14th 2021. Sadly missed by all his family.

Neil Simpson, a loyal supporter of the Eagles since 1955, passed away on the 6th September. His Arthur Wait Stand friends will miss him terribly.

Happy 12th birthday to Aidan, Holmesdale Lower Season Ticket holder and massive Palace fan. Have the best day

Happy 36th, Liam Giles (gilesy) - let’s hope we can take the Seagulls down!

Emily and Matt, like all Palace supporters, are passionate about the club. On 27 January 2022, they will finally tie the knot after being together for 10 years. Emily is one of life’s treasures. She is kind, compassionate and caring. At last Emily has found her strength and soul mate in Matt who is extremely loving and supportive of her and her family. They are a great team, just like Palace. We would like to wish Emily and Matt all the best for the future and are sure they will enjoy watching the game today whilst in the company of the club legends and afterwards in Speroni’s restaurant.

from the terraces

Happy 13th Birthday Chester. We hope you enjoy the match, lots of love Mum & Neil xx

Happy 18th birthday Jake Steele, Palace fan in the Arthur Wait since he was 5 years old. Lots of love from all your family.

Email programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.

quiz, games, brighty & more!

Put your Palace, opposition and Premier League knowledge to the test in our various challenges below. The perfect way to pass time pre-match - let us know how you fare via social media!

Guess who

Spot the image

Can you guess the ex-Eagle above just from their picture?

The above cut-out is taken from an image in this programme. Can you find what page it’s on?

matchday quiz 1

Which club was Gary O’Reilly starting his career with when they won the 1983/84 UEFA Cup?

Which forward broke Glenn Murray’s record for most goals scored in a single Championship season?

Overall, how many competitive goals did Andrew Johnson score for Palace against Brighton?

How many penalties were awarded, and how many scored, in the March 1989 clash?

Which players assisted Wilfried Zaha in the 2013 play-off semi-final second leg?

GAmes

FAMOUS FAN

guess the ground

Can you work out which Football League club’s stadium this is?

Initially a Palace fan, this DJ became a Brighton supporter in his early 20s after moving there to study. He has since invested in the club and recently played a gig at the Amex stadium, a Seagull through the hard times and the good.

BEAT BRIGHTY In each edition, club icon Mark Bright calls it how he sees it and predicts scores from the day’s football. See how you fare and try to Beat Brighty! Scoring: One point for every correct result, three for a correct scoreline.

Brighty

You

1-2 1-1 0-1 1-1 1-2 total Manage to Beat Brighty? Keep track of your total score above!

ANSWERS Guess who: Ricky Newman Spot the image: Page 52 Quiz: 1) Tottenham Hotspur 2) Ivan Toney 3) Three 4) Five, two scored 5) Yannick Bolasie and Kagisho Dikgacoi Famous Fan: Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) Guess the Ground: Memorial Stadium - Bristol Rovers

games

team stats: women / U23S / U18S Charley Clifford Clifford became the first new signing to net for the Eagles when she struck against Bristol City. Millie Farrow became the next against Sunderland.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi A 6-1 win over Leicester City saw David Omilabu, Rob Street and Jesurun Ray-Sakyi net braces - putting Rak-Sakyi on four goals from four.

Owen Goodman England ‘keeper Goodman has played every minute so far this season as he stamps his mark as the U18s’ No.1.

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)

AUGUST Sun 29

Bristol City

W 4-3

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST Mon 16 Leeds United

L 1-3

Fri 20

Arsenal

L 2-4

Everton

W 3-1

Sun 5

London City Lionesses

L 1-2

Fri 27

Sun 12

Sunderland

D 1-1

Sun 26

Liverpool

SEPTEMBER Mon 13 Leicester City

W 6-1

Sat 18

Manchester City

L 2-4

Fri 24

West Ham United

OCTOBER Sun 3

Sheffield United

Sun 10

Coventry United

Wed 13 Lewes Sun 31

Watford

NOVEMBER Sun 7

Durham

Sun 14

Charlton Athletic

Wed 17 Reading Sun 21

Blackburn Rovers

DECEMBER Wed 15 Bristol City Sun 19

Lewes

JANUARY Sun 9

Sunderland

Sun 16

Durham

Sun 23

Liverpool

FEBRUARY Sun 6

Bristol City

Sun 13

London City Lionesses

MARCH

OCTOBER Fri 1 Tottenham Hotpsur Fri 15

Brighton & Hove Albion

Fri 22

Derby County

NOVEMBER Mon 1 Blackburn Rovers Sun 7

Chelsea

Sat 20

Liverpool

Fri 26

Manchester United

DECEMBER Mon 6 West Ham United Mon 20 Derby County JANUARY Mon 10 Everton Mon 17 Chelsea Mon 24 Liverpool FEBRUARY Mon 7 Tottenham Hotspur Mon 21 Manchester United Mon 28 Brighton & Hove Albion

Sun 6

Coventry United

Sun 13

Lewes

MARCH Mon 14 Manchester City

Sun 27

Charlton Athletic

Mon 21 Arsenal

Sun 3

Blackburn Rovers

APRIL Mon 4

Sun 24

Watford

Mon 25 Blackburn Rovers

Sheffield United

MAY Mon 2

APRIL

MAY Sun 1

Leeds United

Leicester City

women/u23S/u18S

AUGUST Sat 14 Leicester City Sat 21 West Ham United Sat 28 West Bromwich Albion SEPTEMBER Sat 11 Aston Villa Sat 18 Liverpool Sat 25 Southampton OCTOBER Sat 2 Reading Sat 23 Birmingham City Sat 30 Arsenal NOVEMBER Sat 6 Chelsea Sat 20 Fulham DECEMBER Sat 4 Tottenham Hotpsur Sat 18 Brighton & Hove Albion JANUARY Sat 8 Norwich City Sat 15 Fulham Sat 22 Birmingham City FEBRUARY Sat 5 Tottenham Hotspur Sat 19 Arsenal Sat 26 Norwich City MARCH Sat 5 Leicester City Sat 12 West Ham United Sat 19 West Bromwich Albion APRIL Sat 2 Aston Villa Sat 9 Southampton Sat 23 Reading Sat 30 Chelsea MAY Sat 7 Brighton & Hove Albion

W 3-1 W 2-1 W 3-2 D 2-2 L 2-3

Name

Apps

Bianca Baptiste

Goals

Kirsty Barton

Hannah Churchill

Charley Clifford

Grace Coombs Leanne Cowan Aimee Everett

Millie Farrow

Coral-Jade Haines

Sophie McLean

Apps

Goals

Victor Akinwale

Tayo Adaramola

David Boateng

Ryan Bartley

Malachi Boateng

Kalani Barton

John-Kymani Gordon

Freddie Bell

Reece Hannam

Maliq Cadogan

Junior Dixon

Owen Goodman

Jackson Izquierdo

Kanye Jobson

James Leonard

Nya Kirby

Jake O'Brien David Omilabu Dan Quick

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Sean Robertson

Joe Ling

Fionn Mooney

Ademola Ola-Adebomi

David Ozoh

Rob Street

James Taylor

Jadan Raymond

Gracie Pearse

Dylan Thiselton

Kaden Rodney

Molly-Mae Sharpe

Noah Watson

Joe Sheridan

Oliver Webber

Basilio Socoliche

Emily Orman

Lizzie Waldie

Siobhan Wilson

pos CLUB P W D

A GD Pts

sun

she

bla

dur

Jack Wells-Morrison

Matthew Vigor

Joe Whitworth

Vonnte Williams

pos CLUB P W D 1

mci

A GD Pts

0 16 7

Cameron Lewis-Brown

Aidan Steele

Leigh Nicol

Apps

Scott Banks

Cardo Siddik Chloe Morgan

Name

Jay-Rich Baghuelou

Danny Imray

Annabel Johnson

Name

9 13

che

pos CLUB P W D 1

A GD Pts

0 18 5 13 12

ars

16 11

5 12

sou

0 15 6

9 10

bha

12 6

6 10

cry

0 10 6

4 10

5 10

lee

14 9

tot

12 10 2

ful

ars

0 13 9

lon

whu

2 13 11

bha

cry

3 14 13

whu

7 -2 6

bri

mun

11 -3 5

lei

liv

lei

7 10 -3 5

avl

2 16 11

10 liv

8 -3 5

10 wba

9 16 -7 3

cha

10 lew

wat

12 cov

11 -4 3

eve

11 -5 4

tot

12 der

7 -2 3

12 bir

7 15 -8 3

8 -4 0

13 bla

9 14 -5 3

13 rdg

7 -6 0

14 che

6 15 -9 2

14 nor

2 18 -16 0

women/u23S/u18S

9 -5 0

0-3

18th

15:00

D 0-0

13th

Sat 24

Watford

19:45

Sat 28

West Ham United

15:00

D 2-2

14th

Tottenham Hotspur

12:30

W 3-0

11th

Sat 18

Liverpool

15:00

0-3

14th

Mon 27

Brighton & Hove Albion

20:00

Leicester City

14:00

Arsenal

20:00

MAY

APRIL

March

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

Sun 3 Mon 18 Sat 23

Newcastle United